As the companion volume to Asimov's earlier Breakthroughs in science …, [Great ideas of science] is composed of short essays on famous scientists and their accomplishments. In Great ideas of science the major contributions of sixteen scientists … are discussed. Ten years ago a reviewer suggested of Breakthroughs that the "general juvenile encyclopedias give far better coverage to the subjects treated." We feel that the same criticism is valid for Great ideas of science. Asimov's theme is that "the universe behaves in accordance with certain laws of nature that cannot be altered or changed," but that "it is possible for human reason to work out the nature of the laws governing the universe." He presents this theme in his initial chapter and subsequently discusses how each scientist's contribution has extended human reason. A formal conclusion restating the theme would have been fitting. Asimov's writing is so terse that the knowledgeable...